One year ago today a nation mourned the death of one of its favourite sons - Sir Howard Morrison.
An icon in the entertainment industry, Sir Howard has not been forgotten and today his family and friends will remember him in their own special way.
Sir Howard died suddenly at his home
at Ohinemutu on September 24, 2009, of a heart condition. He was 74.
His daughter Donna Grant said family would spend the day in quiet reflection after watching a tribute performance for Sir Howard by the Howard Morrison Jnr Trio on TVNZ's Good Morning show.
The trio features Sir Howard's son Howard Jnr and entertainers Russell Harrison and Chris Powley.
"We'll watch the show and head out to the cemetery to see him later on.
"It's just going to be a day of reflection and being together as a family, it's hard to believe it's been a year already," Mrs Grant said.
Sir Howard's sister Rene Mitchell said it took a long time for her to come to terms with her grief and her brother's memory still brings a tear to her eye.
"This time last year we had no idea this would happen.
"For us sisters it's been a very hard and sad year trying to cope with his passing - it's been very difficult," she said.
"About three months ago I spoke with my sisters Judy and Linda and they told me I really had to get on with life.
"It was hard, both with Taini's [Morrison] passing and then Howard, but they got me out of my hole of grief and I'm really enjoying what I'm doing and getting on with it now."
Mrs Mitchell said the entire Morrison family had been very supportive but she still missed her brother every day.
Sir Howard's unveiling will be held at Kauae Cemetery on Saturday, October 2.
It will be followed the next day by a special tribute concert at the Rotorua Convention Centre by The Howard Morrison Jnr Trio.
The show, called How Great Thou Art, will celebrate the music of one of New Zealand's greatest entertainers.
Before his death Sir Howard set up the Sir Howard Morrison Education Foundation to help young Maori students get into higher education while family members and friends set up the Sir Howard Morrison Memorial Vocal Scholarship in his memory.
